A Shiver of Light

The little rebellious streak that shot through Bourbon brought a pleased grin across Io's features. She was glad that he wasn't some little puppet under a wolf's thumb. She was glad that he could still make his own choices. Iolaire had met companions that refused to breath without their 'owners' permission. She couldn't stand it. Not one bit. It was akin to slavery and you didn't want to get her started on slavery.

Bourbon explained Lucretia's aversion to food that she hadn't prepared on her own. It made a lot of sense. She wished that the woman would at least try to beat her neurosis, but Lucretia wasn't someone that Iolaire was very concerned about. She didn't have a connection with the woman. So, Io simply accepted the collie's words with a nod.

Her loaded question seemed to catch the dog off guard, but he recovered quickly. His explanation was slightly half-assed. He didn't say whether or not he thought of himself as an equal. He called himself and Lucretia partners in some things and said that he lived to serve her. The tiny wolf furrowed her brow. "But does she serve you in return?" Her nose wrinkled, small, pristine teeth flashing momentarily. "I have an aversion to slavery," she admitted. "Most companions are treated as slaves. Property." Green and gold eyes moved to the dogs icy blues. "The thought of you thinking that you're on a lower tier than wolves genuinely bothers me." What on earth would he think of that?